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As a child, my favorite LEGO theme was Technic. At present, I find myself drawn almost exclusively to scale LEGO models of real things. Part of my interest in LEGO is rooted in nostalgia, but I also hold a deep appreciation for and enjoyment of LEGO as an analog activity, and of the playable, durable, modifiable art that LEGO is.

Not only is LEGO interactive, non-static art, but it is capable of illustrating complex mechanisms and engineering principles. Further, it offers great liberty: while one often might start by assembling a set exactly as conceived by its designer, there always exists the possibility of disassembling, rebuilding, modifying, or creating something new with whatever elements one has available. Speaking of elements, I particularly admire the unique, creative solutions that arise from the fact that LEGO's system contains a finite number of them.

Although I struggle with the fact that this is an inherenly consumerist hobby, I use that as an opportunity to practice restraint, finding joy in the balance of acquiring and letting go, developing a tightly curated LEGO collection. Given LEGO's rise in scale and popularity, I find that this is the only way to keep the hobby sustainable and enjoyable.

Below are a few of my favorite LEGO sets.

I have grown up entirely in a digital world, witnessing the negative impact of addictive algorithms on our abilities to focus and engage deeply with the world around us. I say this because I opine that reading books, specifically—in place of consuming digital media—is the most important way in which we can continue to challenge and develop our minds in this world. Considering also the amount and quality of literature available to us today, there has truly never been a better time for reading.

Below are a few of my favorite books.